Mayor John Peyton announced today that his chief of staff, Steve Diebenow, has accepted a position in the private sector and will be departing government service on Feb. 29.  Diebenow will become a principal at Rock Creek Capital, a private timberland and alternative asset investment manager with holdings across the country.

"Steve has served my administration and this city with distinction and dedication," said Peyton, "and we will miss him tremendously.  He is a man of great intellect and integrity, and I am grateful for both his service and his friendship. As Chief of Policy and, later, as Chief of Staff, he brought enormous insight, energy and focus to the work of the government. This new opportunity will give him the opportunity to utilize his legal, real estate and government backgrounds, and Rock Creek Capital is lucky to have him!"

To fill this crucial policy role, Peyton announced that he has appointed Adam Hollingsworth as Chief of Staff.  Hollingsworth, a member of the mayor's team since October of 2004, has served as Chief of Policy and functioned as the mayor's liaison to the Jacksonville City Council and the Florida Legislature. Peyton has asked Sherry Hall and Lisa Rowe Rinaman, currently policy directors working on the mayor's staff to take primary responsibility for achieving the goals of the administration with the City Council and the Florida legislature.

"I'm delighted that Adam Hollingsworth has agreed to serve in this vital role," said Peyton. "Adam is a strategic thinker of the first order, and his ability to focus efforts and drive results is unparalleled. His experience in the corporate world with CSX and his years of work with all levels of government have prepared him well him well for this leadership role. Adam will guide the administration's efforts on the focus areas that I am laying out today for the remainder of my term as mayor, and I am confident that he will do an outstanding job for our city and our citizens."

Peyton also announced today that in addition to maintaining a focus on continuous improvement of government functions and moving forward with a sustainable financial model, he will focus on the following three areas for the remainder of his tenure as mayor:

Making Jacksonville safer for every citizen in every neighborhood through The Jacksonville Journey

Growing economic opportunity and jobs throughout the city

Ensuring the health of the St. Johns River -- including opposing further water withdrawals, and increasing access to the river.